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TV shows recast actors for all sorts of reasons, from needing to age a character up to the actor deciding the industry is no longer for them. Sometimes, the new casting choice is popular with the audience, but other times, they lament the loss of a beloved performer in the role.
Here are 13 TV characters who were famously recast. I want to know — which actor do you prefer in each role?
1.
On AMC’s Interview with the Vampire, Bailey Bass played Claudia in Season 1. However, she left the show because of “a variety of unforeseen circumstances.”
So she was replaced by Delainey Hayles in Season 2.
2.
On Roseanne, Lecy Goranson played Becky Conner for Seasons 1–4. Then, in Season 5, Becky was written off so Lecy could go to college.
However, for Seasons 6–7, Becky returned, played by Sarah Chalke. In Season 8, Lecy and Sarah alternated the role to accommodate Lecy’s school schedule.
3.
On The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Janet Hubert played Vivian Banks for Seasons 1–3. On her agent’s advice, she turned down the new contract the studio offered her in hopes of renegotiation, which never manifested.
For Seasons 4–6, Daphne Maxwell Reid played Aunt Viv.
4.
On Bewitched Seasons 1–5, Dick York played Darrin Stephens. However, he left due to personal health reasons.
Dick Sargent took over the role for Seasons 6–8.
5.
On The Fosters, Jake T. Austin played Jesus Foster for Seasons 1–2. He decided to leave because his role was going to be significantly reduced, and he didn’t want his commitment to the show to prevent him from pursuing other opportunities.
Noah Centineo played Jesus for Seasons 3–5.
6.
On Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 1–2, Santino Fontana played Greg Serrano. Greg was written off the show because Santino signed on for other projects while its future was still up in the air.
When Greg returned in Season 4, he was played by Skylar Astin.
7.
On Boy Meets World, Lily Nicksay played Morgan Matthews for Seasons 1–2. However, she reportedly left the show because she was no longer interested in acting.
For Seasons 3–7, Lindsay Ridgeway played Morgan.
8.
On Riverdale, Ross Butler played Reggie Mantle for Seasons 1–2. However, he left because the show’s schedule conflicted with 13 Reasons Why, which he felt was a better fit for him.
Charles Melton took over for Seasons 3–7.
9.
On Friends Season 1, Episode 2, Anita Barone played Carol Willick. She allegedly left the role because she wanted to find one that was more full-time. Eventually, she starred on The Jeff Foxworthy Show.
Jane Sibbett played Carol for the remainder of the ten seasons.
10.
On The Baby-Sitters Club, Xochitl Gomez played Dawn Schafer in Season 1, but she left for a role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Kyndra Sanchez took over as Dawn for Season 2.
11.
On Family Matters, Jo Marie Payton played Harriette Winslow from Season 1 until midway through Season 9. She decided to leave because she wasn’t happy on set.
For the last nine episodes of the final season, Judyann Elder took over the role.
12.
On The Goldbergs, Rowan Blanchard played Jackie Geary for Seasons 4–5, but she passed on returning for Season 6.
So, for Season 6, Alexis G. Zall took over as Jackie. She returned in Season 10.
13.
And finally, on the Dynasty reboot, Nicollette Sheridan played Alexis Carrington Colby for Season 1 and part of Season 2. She left the show to spend more time with her terminally ill mother.
Then, Elizabeth Gillies — who already starred as Alexis’s daughter, Fallon Carrington — donned facial prosthetics and temporarily took over the role for three episodes at the end of Season 2. However, having Elizabeth in two roles was a production challenge.
For Seasons 3–5, Elaine Hendrix took over as Alexis.
What’s your favorite example of recasting in a TV show? Why did it work so well for you? Share your thoughts in the comments!
